Ziege on the patience game

Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) Football Club is located in North London. The club is also known as Spurs. Tottenham's home ground is White Hart Lane. The club motto is Audere est Facere (To dare is to do).

Christian Ziege takes it as a compliment that visiting teams are ready to defend in numbers at the Lane - and warned fans: "We'll all have to get used to it."

Our German star provided the ammunition for Teddy Sheringham's late winner against Bolton on Monday night.

That late, great header came after Bolton had taken an early lead in the first half and frustrated us by defending deep and trying to catch us on the break.

It was similar tactics as used recently by Middlesbrough and Derby County and with Bolton's success - Monday's was only their second Premiership defeat on the road - many more may come to the Lane with the same approach.

"It is the way Bolton play," reflected Christian. "They keep tight in the defence, bring players back, wait for mistakes and hit us on a quick break.

"It was difficult because they scored very early and that made the game very, very hard. I think how we reacted, especially in the second half, was fantastic and we were very patient.

"I think we have to get used to it and the fans will have to get used to it.

"It means we are a strong team and it also means perhaps that visiting teams are only looking for a point rather than the win. That is the main reason they play that way."

Meanwhile, the attacking wing-back almost missed out on taking that 86th-minute free-kick - he had been limping, Ben Thatcher was warming up and Glenn Hoddle had to come to the touchline to check he was okay for the final push.

"I had problems with my left knee," Christian revealed. "I wasn't sure if I could keep going.

"I looked up and there were five minutes left so I thought if I could make it that far I could make it to the end of the game. It was good for us at the end.